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Two charges relate to a neighbour, Paul Lynam, from dates between July 1 and July 15, 2016.

Another charge of harassment was laid against Kelly in relation to a neighbour John Mooney and another in relation to Willie Stapleton on dates between February 1 and February 12, 2016.

He pleaded not guilty to all counts and a trial was heard at the district court yesterday crosshead

Thomas Kelly (Image: Collins)

The case is centred around a number of properties at 20 terraced cottages at Weirview overlooking the Liffey.

Kelly claims that he bought a package of land behind the houses and has been in a dispute with the three men because of this.

The court heard that the ownership of this “escarpment” is in dispute but that Kelly has performed extensive ground works on the site.

The court heard that Paul Lynam who lives in one of the terraced properties told the court that he had a “funny feeling” that he was “being watched” as the Kelly family had a lot of CCTV cameras on their property.

Paul Lynam (Image: Collins)

He said he walked up the escarpment and found two cameras covered in camouflage hidden in the undergrowth.

The cameras were pointing and focused on his house and two other properties - those owned by Willie Stapleton and John Mooney.

He told the court that he phoned his neighbours and they decided to go down to their local garda station to make a criminal complaint.

He said that the camera was at an elevated height and was looking down on his home and decking.

He said: “I haven’t opened my doors and I kept my curtain closed - it is from the paranoia of being watched.”

He said that he counted 15 cameras, some with night vision and another camera was placed in clear sight on a fence.

The Barrister for the defence Kitty Perle, in cross examination, said that during a cautioned garda interview with Mr Lynam investigators told him that there was footage on the cameras that showed him engaged in a solo sex act on his decking to the rear of his property.

John Mooney and William Stapleton (Image: Collins)

The barrister said that in the memo of interview it was said: “there is some footage of you in semi dress, performing an act of masturbation.”

Mr Lynam responded to the question: “I am totally shocked. It is an invasion of privacy”.

Ms Perle said that her client had placed the cameras to assist him in a civil action against the residents.

She said: “It was a measure to prevent criminal activity.”

In response to further questions My Lynam added: “It is my garden, what ever I do is in my garden and is my business.

“They (the Kelly family) always had the view they owned the property - that it was their Kingdom.”